Valentine's Day: The Ultimate Love/Hate Relationship

By Karolyn Castaldo on February 12, 2012

When talking to people about Valentine’s Day, you will usually hear one of two things: they hate it or they love it. Neither is a surprising response, considering that it has been known as Single’s Awareness Day but also as the most romantic holiday in the world. The people in relationships usually gush about how nice it is to have a holiday where you celebrate the love you share with another person. Single people are reminded of what they don’t have, and whether that bothers them or not, it still sucks.

However, single, mingling or dating, Valentine’s Day should be celebrated in a way that makes you feel loved, because that’s what it’s all about.

Photo from Flickr.com by epSos.de

For singles, I suggest hanging out with friends or family. Though you may not love them romantically, they are still the people closest to you and they will always be able to cheer you up on this otherwise dismal holiday. You can have a movie night (romantic comedy or action/horror/thriller is up to you!) or even take each other out to dinner on one giant “group-date”. Whether you want to stuff your face with ice cream or enjoy a concert together, celebrating the love you share with your friends is just as important as sharing it with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Your family will also be glad to just hang out with you too!

For minglers, this holiday can be tough. You are hanging out with a person (maybe more than one) but you don’t want anything serious. How are you supposed to draw the line that you want to hang out, but it’s not a classic Valentine’s Day date. Be honest. If you think the person you are mingling with wants more, tell them that you don’t. If you think you want to take things really slow, try giving them a Valentine and seeing a movie. It may not be much, but it will get across that you are not ready for an expensive gift or an overly mushy date. If you are interested in someone, try one of the small, on-campus secret admirer events, such as carnations or sending a bottle of Crush to your Crush! It shows you care, but doesn’t overdo it. However, you can also do what the singles are doing and hang out with your friends or family!

For couples, this holiday can get a little more cliché. There is always the classic candy and flowers, but if you want to really show someone you care, think outside of the box. Does he or she love to read? Take them to their favorite book store to have coffee and talk about his or her favorite books. Does he or she love to have adventures? Plan a hike, snowshoe excursion, ski trip, or just go to a restaurant with really exotic food. Whatever it is, do not just do the classic dinner and a movie. It is a day to appreciate everything that you love about that person. Don’t feel like you just have to make it about presents though! Being together should be enough.

So whether you love it or hate it, for whatever reason, this Valentine’s Day should be about you. Do what makes you happy, not what everyone is telling you to do on Valentine’s Day. Have fun, be you, and be with people that you care about, romantically or not.

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